VSC and ATRAC buttons confusing me

[Sal1978]

I know there are numerous threads on this topic but it seems to have different opinions on the matter. So here is how i understand it. When you are driving in 2H and you are stuck , do you put it in 4H or do you simply try pushing VSC?

Or if you are in 4H and you are kinda stuck do you push VSC for 1 second or 3? and if you push ATRAC are you enabling or disabling it? Does these questions make sense?

 

[Heavy_GD]

In before "read the manual" opcorn:

 

[sandcrawler]

I know there are numerous threads on this topic but it seems to have different opinions on the matter. So here is how i understand it. When you are driving in 2H and you are stuck , do you put it in 4H or do you simply try pushing VSC?

Or if you are in 4H and you are kinda stuck do you push VSC for 1 second or 3? and if you push ATRAC are you enabling or disabling it? Does these questions make sense?

It's almost like you didn't bother to read me...

:rtfm:

but seriously, in the simplest terms: VSC is on-road; ATRAC is off-road.

 

[MossJenks]

So here is how i understand it. When you are driving in 2H and you are stuck , do you put it in 4H or do you simply try pushing VSC?

Put it in 4H. Better yet, put it in 4H BEFORE you get stuck.

 

[PapaRappa]

RTFM

A-Trac can’t even be engaged in anything other than 4Lo.
Here’s a good write up on when to turn traction control off.
https://www.cartalk.com/content/when-should-you-turn-traction-control

Also turn off if you’re trying to do donuts in 2Hi.

So may be it’s, “If you’re stuck in the snow...”
Start by turning VSC off. If that doesn’t work,
Engage 4Hi. If that doesn’t work, (I would go straight to this first)
Engage 4Lo and turn on A-Trac. If that doesn’t work,
Dude, I’m from California. At this point I call AAA. You probably want someone from a real snow state, or a Californian that lives in our beautiful mountains, to give you advice

 

[jayhat]

4wheel systems.pdf - Google Drive

 

[scanny]

Something tells me that if you stuck in snow in 2hi, turning off VSC won't help you. VSC kicks in when computer feels discrepancy between steering wheel turning angle and how actually vehicle is turning. Then VSC tries to fix this discrepancy by applying breaks on one or more wheels trying to keep truck path consistent with how you turn steering wheel. TRAC is more likely will be activated in you stuck in snow - this system is applying brakes to a wheel without traction - it's an electronic simulation of limited slip differential. It will help to keep your vehicle moving when one wheel in hit slippery surface and lost traction. However depending of surface it can apply brakes to all wheels and get you stuck. So if you feel that you might need to keep momentum on slippery surface especially when you're going uphill it might be better to turn off TRAC.
But I suggest that you turn on 4hi as soon as you are off the pavement or driving into snow covered road - you'll get better stability, less possibility of being stuck and you'll fulfilling the need to drive at least 16km a month in 4 hi. ATRAC is more aggressive and powerful version of TRAC, it works only oi 4lo and it works relly well. Just try to turn on/off all those features in advance, in many cases all those features will help you not to stuck, when you stuck they might not work as well. Except maybe ATRAC.

 

[Sal1978]

ok thx

 

[mo_mo]

I know there are numerous threads on this topic but it seems to have different opinions on the matter. So here is how i understand it. When you are driving in 2H and you are stuck , do you put it in 4H or do you simply try pushing VSC?

Or if you are in 4H and you are kinda stuck do you push VSC for 1 second or 3? and if you push ATRAC are you enabling or disabling it? Does these questions make sense?

VSC = Vehicle Stability Control. It is on by default and in general you should never have a need to disable VSC (which is what pushing the button or holding it down while stopped for 3 seconds does... it disables VSC). As the name implies, this system attempts to maintain stability of the vehicle such as preventing uncommanded slipping, sliding, and rolling which most people don't want during daily commutes and functions over a large if not all vehicle dynamic ranges (high and low speeds, on and off road).

ATRAC = Active-Traction. This engages a system that attempts to maximize traction of the wheels by minimizing slippage at very low speeds. The theory being that a wheel that doesn't slip has more grip. This system can only be engaged when in 4-lo. Is designed for off road or extremely slippery surfaces.

Now, if you're in 2H and you get stuck, my recommendation is to ask a friend to film you and post the video here. We can then provide proper procedures for the most efficient extraction method.

If you're in 4H and you get stuck, see follow the same recommendation as 2H getting stuck.

Now read the manual and write down some tow truck numbers

 

[MrJux]

This was posted in regards to Tacomas, but relevant here.

Clarification Needed Please - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

 

[b407driver]

This was posted in regards to Tacomas, but relevant here.

Clarification Needed Please - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

I realize this thread won't likely get much more airplay due to the OP's question having been answered, but I have one question about the link above:

"To activate LSD in L4, push the A-TRAC switch next to the cigerette lighter. Once pushed, A-TRAC will always be on in L4, unless the switch is pushed again."​

Does this hold true after the truck is turned off, thus not requiring the A-TRAC button to be hit again?

Won''t be able to test this for a bit, thought someone might know the answer. As noted, it is indeed weird that A-TRAC is off when 4L is engaged.

 

[e60ral]

no, you have to turn it on again

i wish it would stay on until turned off, but i'm okay with it not being on by default- it can be too aggressive in a lot of situations (sand, mud, etc...)

 

[MossJenks]

If you want ATRAC you have to push the button every time you go to 4Lo. And if you leave it in 4Lo and turn the truck off and restart it you have to push ATRAC again to engage it. I agree I'd rather have it on by default but Toyota disagrees.

As far as the VSC button goes, it also controls the traction control. So if you're stuck with it on you can try turning it off and see if you can claw your way out. 4wd is the first option in that situation - why would you sit there in 2wd trying to claw your way our when you can just shift it into 4wd and probably just drive out no problem?

As mentioned, you also want it off if you're trying to do donuts. On my 2011 SR5 a simple push doesn't turn it all of the way off. That gives you a good setting for trying to get out if you're stuck but if you want to do donuts you need to press and hold the VSC button while stopped to really turn traction and stability control all the way off. If you just push it briefly it'll try to intervene when you're 90deg or so into a donut and that just spoils the fun completely.

 

[campken]

A-TRAC in action

This video is the first time I've used A-TRAC. It worked so well!

https://youtu.be/WbcKSZt9rZc

2015 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD, completely stock
Scenario:
*I approached the hill at an angle because of ground clearance issues.
*:20 I was in H4F and lost traction. My right rear wheel was almost in the air. and not getting traction on the loose dirt.
*:30 I shifted into L4L and attempted to climb with no additional forward progress.
*:48 I depressed the A-TRAC and was immediatly able to regain forward progress up the hill. Even though I hit the hill at an angle, you can hear my left rear bumper hit against a loose rock (whoops!).